Bass Fishing - The Carolina Rig

Most of my years of fishing for bass, I have beenrun the hook tip through the end of the head of the
devoted to the Texas Rig. I had little understandingplastic and push it in about a quarter of an inch. Now
of the need for the Carolina Rig. Until lately...run the hook tip out of the plastic bait and push the
New fishing situations and conditions I havebait up the hook towards the eye. Now you can
encountered have shown me the value of this setup.bury the tip of the hook into the bait near the
Right off the bat, I can tell you that one value of theabdomen or egg sac.
Carolina Rig is more action from the bait. Since theSome people push it on through and snug the hook
bait is not quickly dropping to the bottom, it tends betip near the body (on the backside). This allows for
more lively.better hook set, but results in more snags. I like to
It is great for situations where the bass aren't takingpush it through just before it breaks out of the back
other baits because of weeds and visibility. Pulling onewhere I can feel that it will pop through easily. If you
of these rigs over a bed of grass can be extremelydo this, be sure to set the hook hard to penetrate
rewarding.the plastic.
It can be fished in any depth of water, but it seemsPresentation will vary. Let the lunkers tell you what
most people use it in 8' of water or less off islands,they want. Try swimming it, pumping it, jiggling it,
humps, coves adjacent to deep water.move it up and down, back and forth sideways, or
The difference between the Texas Rig and thedrag it slowly through the weeds by starting at the
Carolina Rig is where the sinker is. In a Texas Rig, the10 o'clock position and slowly pulling it up the 12
sinker is a slip sinker that rides freely on the line witho'clock position then letting it falling while reeling in the
nothing else between the rod and the bait. In aslack. A very slow and steady retrieve can be deadly
Carolina Rig, there is a swivel or something else toat times.
allow a leader between the weight and the bait.Sometimes you will feel a bump or a hard strike, but
Both are used with plastic baits. The hook is usuallymore often a pull, or something might just feel
embedded into the body of the plastic, making itdifferent (heavy, mushy), or you may feel nothing at
virtually weedless. This is what drove me to loveall when you should. Watch the slack. Keep contact
plastics, particularly worms.with the bait. If slack comes in the line for no reason,
The typical setup is to pass the line through a slipor you feel the weights dragging across something
sinker then tie it to a swivel. Sinker weights can vary;when you didn't move the link, set the hook. Set the
usually a light sinker (3/8 to 1/2 ounce) for a shorterhook, set the hook, set the hook. It's free.
leaders, and heavier sinkers (1/2 ounce or more) forWhich plastics are best? Probably all of them at
longer leaders.different times. A short plastic, like the french fry
Next, tie your leader onto the other end of themight be a good place to start. I recommend lively
swivel. If you are new to this you might want tobaits that float and have a garlic scent. You should do
start with a shorter leader until you get used towell with worms, lizards, crawfish or anything else
casting it. Usually anglers use a leader of 1 1/2' to 3'.that you have confidence in.
If you are fishing deeper, you will probably want toMany people love the Carolina Rig in the wind.
go longer; maybe even as much as 6 or 7'.Probably because it's easier to keep the slack tight
Now tie the leader onto your hook. A size 2 or 3and it gives more action to the bait. They are also
worm hook is best, particularly one with a twist in itgreat in the heat of the day road beds.
to aid in hookset. Once you have the hooked tied on,Have fun with them.